Four defeats in a row, including Saturday's 1-0 reverse at West Brom, have
forced West Ham to make a decision on Sam Allardyce's future at next month's
board meeting

Sam Allardyce’s future as West Ham United manager will be on the agenda next month as the club’s board face a huge dilemma on whether to stick or twist. Allardyce is scheduled for a meeting with the owners to discuss the transfer budget for next season but the growing hostility from West Ham supporters towards him is threatening to bring his three-year tenure to an end.

West Ham’s board believe that Allardyce has fulfilled his remit of virtually ensuring Premier League survival for the second successive season but are becoming increasingly aware of the fans’ frustration. The venom and bile directed at Allardyce from the away end during the 1-0 defeat at the Hawthorns on Saturday was not from a minority of supporters and this summer promises to be pivotal for the 59-year-old.

David Sullivan, the co-chairman, who was clearly disturbed by the reaction, said: “I am not saying anything now. We’ll discuss it at the end of the season as we always do.”

Allardyce, who has one year left on his contract, is keen to rebuild his squad and wants the funds to pursue a proven forward to ease the pressure on Andy Carroll. But despite guaranteeing another season at the top table, it seems that he has as many points as admirers at West Ham due to his methods and tactics. This fourth successive defeat, after such an ineffective performance, will have done little to improve his popularity.

When asked if he was confident of financial backing this summer, Allardyce replied: “I don’t see any problem in terms of what we’ve been talking about but you never know, do you? We’ve had preliminary discussions [about the transfer budget] but all of those have been put on hold for the last four games. I can hear the chanting, I know about that and I’ve had it before. Everyone’s miserable because we haven’t won. Criticism comes on me because I’m responsible to make the team win.”

The wild scenes of celebration from West Bromwich Albion fans at the end were in stark contrast to the hatred aimed at Allardyce. At the eighth attempt, after so many dramatic near misses, Pepe Mel finally won a game at the Hawthorns and survival is now in sight.

Saido Berahino’s 11th-minute goal, from virtually on the goalline, was all they had to show for their dominance but Albion never make it easy.

Ben Foster, the goalkeeper, said: “This was a massive win and probably gets us within touching distance of safety but we’re not safe yet, it’s as simple as that. We’ve got Arsenal and Sunderland away and then Stoke at home and I’d like to think we’ll get four to six points from them, so hopefully it will be a strong finish.”